The Great Karoo Gravenduro
The daylight hours will are an immersive experience across barren wastelands, mountain passes and river valleys interspersed with racing segments of different disciplines.
The terrain is undoubtedly the domain of the gravel bike - drop bars, stiff frame, big chainring. We are not averse to you riding it on a mountain bike though, if you so wish. e-bikes are welcome to come along on the adventure, you just can't compete on the race segments.
The evenings are a social affair, great food and excellent accommodation.
The terrain is undoubtedly the domain of the gravel bike - drop bars, stiff frame, big chainring. We are not averse to you riding it on a mountain bike though, if you so wish. e-bikes are welcome to come along on the adventure, you just can't compete on the race segments.
The evenings are a social affair, great food and excellent accommodation.
What's in the package?
- 6 nights of top notch accommodation, 2 nights in De Stijl Gariep Hotel, 2 nights in The Drostdy Graaff Reinet, 1 night in Die Tuishuise and Victoria Manor in Cradock, and one night of "Glamping" on the shores of the Fish River.
- 6 dinner and breakfasts, 5 lunches
- 5 days of supported riding over 522km through the Eastern Great Karoo on long forgotten, classic routes.
- 12 km of adrenalin filled river rafting on the 2nd day, the Orange-Fish River irrigation tunnel empties out a few Km's above, so there is always a torrent of water to enjoy.
- Bus with bike transfers between certain sections.
- Sweep vehicle with experienced ER24 medic always in attendance
- Heavily stocked water and "grub" points along the way.
- Experienced Ride captain to assist with mechanicals and rider safety.
When does it take place?
We will run the events in "Karoo Season", in other words not in the hot and cold months. Check the MTBAfrica Event Calendar for dates and booking for the "Gravenduro - Great Karoo"
We will run the events in "Karoo Season", in other words not in the hot and cold months. Check the MTBAfrica Event Calendar for dates and booking for the "Gravenduro - Great Karoo"
What does the Route look like?
The route design allows you to leave your vehicle at the De Stijl Hotel in Gariep in a secure parking lot. The event will always commence on a Sunday afternoon and end on the following Saturday morning. So let's say you are driving down from the Gauteng area, you would leave at around Sunday lunchtime and arrive at Gariep in the evening, check in and then ride for five days, returning to Gariep for the final night's party and prize-giving on the Friday night. You then leave on Saturday morning and arrive at home at Saturday lunchtime.
How hard is the route?
You need to be fairly fit, but remember, you are NOT racing flat out on each stage, there are only a few short segments each day where you put the hammer down a bit if you want to race it, the rest of the time you ride at a leisurely pace, chatting with your mates and enjoying the scenery. You've got lots of time to finish the route, so don't think normal stage race type riding, stop, take pics relax, keep the heart rate really low. The Gravenduro is the perfect opportunity as an introduction into endurance stage racing if you are new to it, or if you trying to build a good fitness base for an upcoming event. Get miles in the legs without racing like a maniac.
You need to be fairly fit, but remember, you are NOT racing flat out on each stage, there are only a few short segments each day where you put the hammer down a bit if you want to race it, the rest of the time you ride at a leisurely pace, chatting with your mates and enjoying the scenery. You've got lots of time to finish the route, so don't think normal stage race type riding, stop, take pics relax, keep the heart rate really low. The Gravenduro is the perfect opportunity as an introduction into endurance stage racing if you are new to it, or if you trying to build a good fitness base for an upcoming event. Get miles in the legs without racing like a maniac.
How does the racing work?
Check out the Ride/Race Rules
Check out the Ride/Race Rules
How much does it cost?
So here's the thing, what inspired us to look at designing the route and race format, was the entry price of various popular stage races, and of course that hard-core one that traverses the Karoo for 1000km. We decided to see what we could offer at a similar or lower cost. An endurance ride with a bit of racing, and at least the possibility to socialise with your mates along the way, time to take in the surroundings, and not be so knackered at the end of a day.
Accommodation had to be top notch, meals first class and the routes filled with history and atmosphere.
The good news is we did it at a cheaper price per day, the bad news is, it isn't free.
So here's the thing, what inspired us to look at designing the route and race format, was the entry price of various popular stage races, and of course that hard-core one that traverses the Karoo for 1000km. We decided to see what we could offer at a similar or lower cost. An endurance ride with a bit of racing, and at least the possibility to socialise with your mates along the way, time to take in the surroundings, and not be so knackered at the end of a day.
Accommodation had to be top notch, meals first class and the routes filled with history and atmosphere.
The good news is we did it at a cheaper price per day, the bad news is, it isn't free.
- R 19 750.00 per head sharing
- R 22 000 per head without sharing
Is there more detail as to what happens each day?
Sure! please download our generic itinerary for a day by day account of the ride.
Sure! please download our generic itinerary for a day by day account of the ride.
What do I need to bring with?
- Yourself in fairly good form
- A sense of humour
- At least 3 changes of cycling kit, you can have it washed at Cradock and Graaff Reinet.
- Bring along kit for hot and cold conditions, altitudes vary, things can get nippy in the Sneeuberg even on a nice day.
- One big bag, stage race style, we'll transport it for you.
- A hand luggage size bag, you can leave in the larger support vehicle, you'll see it everyday at the halfway water-point.
- A head lamp or small torch always comes in handy.
- Suntan lotion, lip balm and moisturiser, the Karoo air is dry.
- Oh yes! swimming trunks for your 12km float down the Fish River in a river raft.
- Your bike - a gravel bike, mountain bike or e-bike, you can choose your weapon.
- Your bike must have tubeless tyres with fresh puncture sealant in them.
- Your bike should have been recently serviced and in good working order, we can only assist with roadside repairs.
- A spare rear tyre at least.
- A spare set of brake pads
- You need to be self sufficient with your bike tools, pump etc.
- Bring along a tube and gator in case you tear your tubeless tyre badly.
- You know yourself, if you tend to break chains a lot, bring a spare one.
- We supply Squirt Chain lube in the mornings and at water-points, if you have a preference, bring it along.
- If you tend to break spokes a lot, make sure you bring along spares, remember the drive side spoke on your bike is a different length to your brake side spoke on your rear wheel. We can replace a spoke for you in most circumstances.
- Two water bottles should be fine
- If you're riding an e-bike you will most probably need a spare battery.
Countdown to first invitational event on the route, 25th October 2020.
